CLARISSA OCAMPO, bank consultant: For my friends, my family and loved ones, I wish them good health, peace in their hearts, success in whatever they do, and continued happiness. My special wish for my three kids – Toby, Chip and Carla – is for 2007 to be another year filled with new experiences that they can look back on with joy. Should there be little disappointments along the way, I wish that they will view them positively and consider them as realities that will contribute to their strength and character. Finally, for our country, that we will have unity, peace and prosperity. I wish that whatever is good for our nation is what God will give us in 2007.
CHRISTIAN S. MONSOD, chair, One Voice: I wish for everyone a new beginning. If, at the stroke of midnight on December 31, we could be everything that we admire or love or respect in others, wouldn’t that be great? There are people that we cannot forget; or an act of kindness, a truth simply stated, a detachment from things we thought mattered, a really good sense of humor. Every year we promise ourselves and wish for our country a new beginning. Every year we somehow fall short of these goals, but many things do get better. This year we will try again. As the saying goes: Think big, start small, act now. We will get there yet.
Taguig Mayor FREDDIE TINGA: For the country, peace and political maturity; that our leaders realize their self-serving and self-destructive behavior is the root cause of the nation’s suffering. For Taguig, prosperity and progress; that the investments and businesses coming into Taguig increase, resulting in more jobs for our constituents. For myself, family happiness and that the child my wife is now carrying is born healthy and strong.
MICHAEL TAN, businessman: I wish the country’s economic growth and momentum this year will continue. I wish that we, as a nation, would rise to our potential. I wish everybody’s wishes would come true.
Pampanga Representative MIKEE ARROYO: Love, peace and reconciliation. And that next year’s election is peaceful and that unity is obtained after that political exercise.
Marinduque Representative EDMUND REYES: I wish the Filipino nation would treat each day as if there was a Paquiao victory or a typhoon ‘’Reming’’ relief effort. Our best traits as a people shine through during such moments of triumph or tragedy. (People who would like to help Marinduque, which was recently hit by a typhoon, may visit www.helpmarinduque.org.)
IRISH FULLERTON, finalist, Pinoy Dream Academy: More projects to help out the people of Bicol. We were there Thursday before Christmas and seeing them suffering just broke my heart.
DOLPHY, actor: Sana magkaroon ng katahimikan dito sa Pilipinas at pagdasal natin na gumanda ang ekonomiya, mabawasan ang krimen at magkaroon ng maraming trabaho ang bawat mamamayan.
IYA VILLANIA, TV personality: I’m looking forward to finally releasing my solo album next year. Singing has always been my first love, even before I started my showbiz career. My big dream is to have my very own talk show where I can just play my natural kikay self.
RUSTOM PADILLA, actor: With my revelation this year on PBB Celebrity Edition, I have become more at peace with myself. Nothing can be more cathartic than acknowledging your own truths and realities. For the coming year, I can only wish for more challenging showbiz projects.
Catanduanes Governor LEANDRO B. VERCELES JR.: That Filipino leaders, politicians and non-politicians alike, public officials and other public servants, religious leaders, denominations, groups and leaders of movements, and cause-oriented groups, and media think more of moving our country forward rather than advancing parochial interests in the guise of knowing what is good for the public. That the interest of the nation should always come first. We’ve got to work on changing our anti-nationalistic mindset.